Great Allegheny Passage

[DebW]

Did this 135 mile rail trail with a group of 4 this past week. It's a great trail. The surface is wide and smooth crushed stone. Average grade 1.5%, though you get the fun of a steeper downhill the last 20 miles from the Eastern Continental Divide into Cumberland if you go eastward. The trail parallels the Youghiogheny River the first 70 miles, and then the Castleman (River, Creek?). Some small old industrial towns and farms, but much of the scenery is just woods and rivers, including Ohiopyle State Park. The trail gets quite a bit of use, mostly from locals, but also some long-distance users. Most towns had a bike shop on the trail and various eateries on or near the trail. We bought one meal and some snacks every day, but also carried some food and cooked sometimes. One highlight of the trail was the Big Savage Tunnel (lighted, 3294 feet long), followed by the Borden (957 ft) and Brush (914) unlit tunnels. Kind of freaky riding through those. Also crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and the Mason-Dixon Line. Here's our itinerary, with a 1:30 start from McKeesport the first day.

May 25 McKeesport, PA to Round Bottom Campsite, 36 miles
May 26 Round Bottom Campsite to Huskey Haven Campground, 56 miles
May 27 Huskey Haven Campground to Cumberland, 44 mies

After Cumberland, we continued down the C&O to Hancock, MD, spending one night at Purslane Run Hiker/Biker campsite.

A few pictures.

[Zen]

Most towns had a bike shop on the trail and various eateries on or near the trail. We bought one meal and some snacks every day, but also carried some food and cooked sometimes.

So your guys finally found some forks?

When you got to the Eastern Continental Divide was it obvious that you had climbed, were on the peak, and that it was downhill from there?

I want more pictures! And more pie!

[DebW]

So your guys finally found some forks?

When you got to the Eastern Continental Divide was it obvious that you had climbed, were on the peak, and that it was downhill from there?

I want more pictures! And more pie!

It was sandwiches from Sheetz or a meatball hoagie at the only open restaurant, a hot dog stand, in Rockwoods. We did get a real meal at the Crabby Pig in Cumberland, but did not steal the forks.

Approaching the Eastern Continental Divide from the east, it wasn't obvious that you were climbing - it was that gradual. But the downhill to Cumberland was obvious. I was doing 11 mph on the flats/gradual up, and hit a whopping 15 mph going down. Here's the view from the top, just after the Savage tunnel, looking toward Cumberland, which is just beyond the "gap".

One more picture. But you are supposed to supply the pie.

[cosc]

Deb, I enjoyed your ride report and pics. Love to see folks enjoying tour bikes and great scenery.
What kind of bike are you riding?

[DebW]

Deb, I enjoyed your ride report and pics. Love to see folks enjoying tour bikes and great scenery.
What kind of bike are you riding?

It's a custom frame by Peter Mooney, designed for commuting and light touring and some faster rides (if I swap to 650c wheels). It's only shortcoming was caliper brakes on the muddy C&O that clogged up a couple times.

[KathiCville]

Great trip report, Deb. Thank you for taking the time to post photos and your itinerary!

[F8th637]

Great ride report, Deb! This looks great! I would love to one day do this as well but in the opposite direction. I have heard that it isn't outrageously hilly or anything and that it can be done in 3-4 days. Oh to tour!

[Zen]

. Oh to tour!

I have a good canal bike with a fancy rack I'll sell you

[spotlightmama]

What great pics - thanks for sharing!

[F8th637]

I have a good canal bike with a fancy rack I'll sell you

LOL Let me guess and it's too small for me right?

[madscot13]

I think I am going to have to try this but going from the other direction. but hmm I've never been camping. we'll have to see how this pans out.

[DebW]

The main disadvantage of camping was the huge freight trains that ran frequently just on the other side of the river. Loudest trains I've ever heard. Our first night at Round Bottom Campsite we had to take water from a stream because the pump was not working. We woke up about midnight to see a fire going on the far side of the campsite - some kids biked in during the night without lights, built a campfire, and hung out until about 4 am. I guess camping is easier when you stay up all night??? At the Rockwoods campsite, the water and showers were across the river in the town, the camping was along the trail in a quiet primitive area (except for the freight trains across the river).

[Zen]

Mad-
when I was in Sports Authority last night they had a little backpacking tent on sale for $20. Get you one of those and do one night with me on the canal.
I won't charge you anything